In a letter to Akademi’s chairman, Deshpande stated that Akademi should stand up against growing intolerance in the nation.

She expressed hope that the literary body would involve itself in addressing crucial issues that affect Indian writers’ ‘freedom to speak and write’.

Earlier on Saturday, six writers had returned their Arulu Sahitya awards to the Kannada Sahitya Academy over the delay in the arrest of the accused in the murder of Kalburgi.

Writer Uday Prakash was the first to return his Sahitya Akademi award to protest the murder of Kalburgi.

The Dharwad police had earlier released sketches of two suspected assassins of Kalburgi, but since then, no firm action has been taken.

Professor Kalburgi was shot dead by unknown persons in Dharwad recently. He was rushed to the District Civil Hospital, but was declared dead by doctors.

M

mohan

Oct 10, 2015 at 4:07 pm

Hinduism is the only religion in the world that is tolerant towards other faiths and India is the only country for tolerance. India is far more secure and peaceful under the Modi government than it ever has been. Why do we have state chief Ministers and State Governments, if everything is blamed on Modi. Shouldn't Karnataka Govt be sacked for Kalburgi murder? Persons with high sycophancy, corruption and boot-licking habits can't tolerate nationalistic ideals and governance by patriots. Think rationally with little common sense and reasoning. The same conscience was not shown when the hand of a Professor was chopped off a few years back? Every time when announcement of awrads come in TV, getting confused how and why they selected such jokers for the prestigious awards. Really Nauseating. Govt money is wasted by these princeling white elephants like Sahitya Akademi and FTII